3 weeks ago
FDA Chief Urges Safe Food, Safe Medicine as Ganeshotsav Message
Every year, people in the Indian state of Maharashtra celebrate a big festival called Ganeshotsav, which honors the elephant-headed god Ganesha.
During the festival, groups of drummers called dhol-tasha troupes march and play music.
A government food-safety leader named Tukaram Mundhe talked to these drummers in the city of Pune.
He told them not to eat too much fried food or drink energy drinks, because those are not healthy.
He said they should eat nutritious food and, if possible, bring food from home.
He also told them to buy food only from shops that have a license to sell it.
He asked the drummers to spread a special message during the festival: "Safe Food, Safe Medicine, Safe Maharashtra."
He also reminded festival organizers that sweets given to visitors, like pedhas and ladoos, must be safe to eat.
He said food should be checked by the Food and Drug Administration so that everyone who visits the festival stays healthy and safe.
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe urged dhol-tasha performers to avoid fried food and energy drinks during Ganeshotsav and eat a nutritious diet.
Mundhe advised performers to carry home-cooked food where possible and purchase food only from licensed vendors.
He called on dhol-tasha troupes to spread the message 'Safe Food, Safe Medicine, Safe Maharashtra' through their performances.
He asked Ganeshotsav mandals to get food items inspected by the FDA, saying prasad like pedhas and ladoos must not have its safety taken for granted.
The event was held at NMV High School on Shrimant Thorle Bajirao Peshwa Road in Pune, organized by Abhedya Dhol Tasha Pathak, Kalavant Dhol Tasha Pathak, Dhol Tasha Mahasangh Maharashtra and NMV High School.
- Who
- Tukaram Mundhe, Commissioner of the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration
- What
- Urged dhol-tasha performers and Ganeshotsav mandals to prioritize food and medicine safety, promoting the message 'Safe Food, Safe Medicine, Safe Maharashtra'
- Where
- NMV High School on Shrimant Thorle Bajirao Peshwa Road, Pune
- When
- On Monday, ahead of Ganeshotsav
- Why
- To ensure the safety of devotees and to build a capable and strong Maharashtra through safe food and medicine
Key facts
- Speaker
- Tukaram Mundhe, Maharashtra FDA Commissioner
- Campaign message
- Safe Food, Safe Medicine, Safe Maharashtra
- Advice to performers
- Avoid fried food and energy drinks; eat nutritious food; carry home-cooked food; buy from licensed vendors
- Advice to mandals
- Get food items inspected by the FDA; ensure prasad such as pedhas and ladoos is safe
- Event location
- NMV High School, Shrimant Thorle Bajirao Peshwa Road, Pune
- Organizers
- Abhedya Dhol Tasha Pathak, Kalavant Dhol Tasha Pathak, Dhol Tasha Mahasangh Maharashtra, NMV High School
Quotes
Tukaram Mundhe
Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration Maharashtra
“Performers in music troupes often consume fried food as well as energy drinks. Avoid this and eat a nutritious diet. If possible, carry home‑cooked food. Purchase food items only from licensed vendors.”
freepressjournal.in
“During Ganeshotsav, sweets like pedhas and ladoos are distributed as prasad. However, whether this prasad is safe or not is a question that needs to be asked.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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